Viet Nam Literacy Rate
Adult literacy rate SE.ADT.LITR.ZS
Viet Nam's literacy rate was 97.26% in 2025, ranked 15th globally. This represents a 1.2% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1979–2025.
Overview
Viet Nam's literacy rate stood at 97.26% in 2025, a rise of +1.13pp from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 97.26% by 2025. Viet Nam ranked 15th globally.
Vietnam’s literacy rate has risen steadily from 83.83 % in 1979, the lowest point recorded, to 97.26 % in 2025, its all‑time peak and the fifteenth‑highest level worldwide. The eight‑year coverage window captures a period of sustained investment in primary and secondary education, which has narrowed the gap with higher‑performing peers such as Bahrain (98.62 %) and the West Bank and Gaza (98.12 %). While Panama (96.46 %) and Ecuador (96.12 %) trail Vietnam’s current figure, the country’s progress reflects both expanded school enrollment and adult literacy programmes that have targeted historically underserved rural populations. The upward trajectory suggests that, barring major disruptions to public financing or demographic shifts, Vietnam is likely to maintain or even marginally improve its literacy rate, potentially moving it closer to the top‑tier peers in the next decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Literacy Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | 97.26% | - | - |
| 2025 | 97.26% | +1.13pp | #15 |
| 2022 | 96.13% | +0.38pp | #15 |
| 2019 | 95.75% | +2.23pp | #18 |
| 2009 | 93.52% | +3.36pp | #12 |
| 2000 | 90.16% | −0.12pp | #17 |
| 1999 | 90.28% | +2.68pp | #5 |
| 1989 | 87.60% | +3.77pp | #11 |
| 1979 | 83.83% | – | #1 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Viet Nam matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2020. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw literacy rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Viet Nam's literacy rate was 97.26% in 2025. Ranked 15th globally. This represents a 1.2% increase from the previous year.
Viet Nam's literacy rate peaked at 97.26% in 2025.
The lowest literacy rate in Viet Nam was 83.83% in 1979.
Viet Nam ranks 15th globally in literacy rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.ADT.LITR.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Viet Nam's literacy rate is projected to reach 97.26% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The literacy rate of Viet Nam in 2025 was 97.26%. This ranks 15th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_viet-nam_literacy-rate,
title = {Viet Nam Literacy Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/viet-nam/literacy-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}